Welcome to CPR&SS

Updated: May 25, 2019 10:35 AM

NOTICE TO ALL CPR&SS MEMBERS: On Sunday: Heritage Day starts at 11 AM and goes until 8:30 PM so you will NOT be able to drive in the park during these hours. If you are bringing equipment, you will need to bring it in before 11 AM and leave after 8:30 PM. Members can also park in the general public parking lot and walk back or park outside of the far west end of the park and come in through the back gate. If it is locked, you can unlock the brass lock with your key that unlocks the brass locks the the track.

PUBLIC: The next passenger train run will be during Heritage Day on SUNDAY, May 26, 2019 from 11 AM to 7 PM, weather permitting. Rides are $1 per person per ride. Children under 3 years old ride free. Purchase ride tokens at the front desk (cash or card) or at the train loading station (cash only).

MEMBERS: The next work day is ==> WEDNESDAY <== May 29, 2019. Workers show up about 10 AM. Work items: Grass cutting, extending the yard tracks, clearing the track of sticks, cutting back vegetation, track maintenance, replacing old ties with new plastic ones, etc.

To ALL: The next (& last) school train run is Friday, May 31, 2019, weather permitting. The train runs from 10 AM til 1:30 PM. See School Specials page for details.

Members: The next CPR&SS club meeting is ==> THURSDAY <==, JUNE 06, 2019. It will be a combined with the Rail Festival meeting. Starting time is 7 PM and the combined meeting will be in the Carillon Park main building (aka Kettering Bldg).

Below is a YouTube link to Dick Fine running the live steam locomotive that he built. It gives viewers a look at the 1/8th scale miniature trains running at Carillon Park.

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The Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society, 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, Ohio, 45409, builds, operates, and promotes a 7 1/2 inch gauge (1/8th full scale) railroad in the Carillon Historical Park and promotes 7 1/2 inch gauge activities at model train shows. Carillon Park is located in Dayton, Ohio, and is one of six locations making up the Dayton History experience. Dayton History is a privately supported, non-profit organization and is open to the public for a nominal entrance fee. The CPR & SS members finance and build railroad structures and trackage which become the property of the Carillon Park upon installation. As the primary source of income, the CPR & SS sells family train riding memberships to the public for a fee ($20 per family for the riding season dates listed on the Passenger Schedule page – Holiday Event is NOT included). Individual train rides may be purchased for $1 per person per ride. Train rides are purchased at the train loading station – please bring cash as we are not set up to accept credit or debit cards. The CPR & SS owns and operates locomotives, rolling stock, and maintenance equipment. CPR & SS members may operate their own equipment at the Park also.

What We Do

The primary activity of the Society is cultural and historical as the railroad represents a small version of the type that contributed to the growth of the region. All locomotive types, steam, electric, and diesel, are used to pull trains loaded with family members around the trackage. Facilities common to railroads such as trestles, bridges, tunnels, turntable, switches, loading platform, and maintenance building are demonstrated on operating days. The track has been in operation since 1985 and the Society has been re-licensed as a State of Ohio non-profit organization since 1996. Any responsible member of the general public who has an interest in the historical significance of railroading in the U.S. may join the Society.

The second activity of the Society is educational and instructional as the members describe the operation of the railroad to the general public as they are boarding the trains.

Another significant activity involves school children who visit the Park on field trips. Groups that register ahead receive a short lecture on the historical significance of railroading to the region and safety requirements, are shown the three types of locomotive power and equipment and facilities involved, are exposed to professional opportunities in the industry and given a train ride. Science, math, and engineering disciplines are emphasized.

The last activity of the Society is promotion of the hobby of scale model trains. Scale models are built or purchased by the members who bring them to the Park for operation for the general public. All three types of power are used and some rolling stock (locomotives and cars) are owned by the members.

Fund raising is primarily by membership dues and small donations during train shows. Large donations have been equipment except for a start-up fund donated by the Park in 1984 to build trackage and an equipment maintenance facility. All funds have been raised by members without personal compensation. The Society has no fund-raising committee. The Board of Directors is responsible for all financial results.